MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be looking into the possible violation of safety and health standards by NCCC mall management in its operations after a fire that broke out Saturday killed at least 37 people.
“Some people must be held responsible for the senseless loss of lives. I have ordered officials of the occupational safety and health center and the DOLE regional office in Davao to immediately look into possible violation of some safety and health standards by NCCC mall management in its operations,” said DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III in a statement.
“The findings of the investigation shall be submitted directly to me for purposes of determining responsibility and for appropriation legal action,” he added.
Bello said they are ready to provide emergency employment assistance to workers affected by the blaze.
“In the meantime, I have also directed the DOLE regional office to make an inventory and assessment of the affected workers and employees of the mall so that they may be provided with emergency employment. The employment assistance will be for a period of one month,” he said.
Bello said DOLE will look into other means by which DOLE can extend further assistance to the victims of the tragic incident.
He also expressed sympathy to the families of the victims. “My heart bleeds with the bereaved families of the employees who died in the tragic fire in Davao City.”
The casualties are employees of American firm SSI when a fire engulfed a shopping mall from Saturday morning until early dawn Sunday.
One comment on “DOLE to probe Davao mall for possible safety violations”
Every Safety Officer knows that persuading management to fork out money for safety systems is very difficult , even in first world countries . Therefore here in the Phils it is even more difficult as bribes are paid to sign paperwork . NCCC Mall is no exception and has very little in the way of safety equipment. Call Center employees are cocooned in their place of work with no distractions , even fire or smoke alarms are not visible . If an American Company sets up business here it should ensure the safety of its employees . After all ,it is their bread and butter too. Yes they will pay for funeral expenses etc but they can never bring back loved ones to their family.
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